Wingnuts clinch division

Friday

Aug 23, 2013 at 10:56 PMAug 23, 2013 at 10:56 PM

By Mark SchnabelNewton Kansan

WICHITA — Down 3-0 after 2 1/2 innings, the Wichita Wingnuts clinched the American Association Central Division title after a 5-3 win over the Grand Prairie AirHogs Friday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Wichita wins its fourth division title in the last five years.

C.J. Ziegler finished three for four hitting for Wichita with an RBI. John Rodriguez went two for four. David Amberson and Jared McDonald each added an RBI.

Andres Rodriguez hit a two-run shot for Grand Prairie with two outs in the top of the first inning. The AirHogs added a run on a Palmer Karr sacrifice fly in the top of the third.

Wichita rallied back with three runs in the bottom of the third on an error and RBIs by Ziegler and McDonald.

Rodriguez and Karr each went two for three hitting for the AirHogs.

Wichita's James Giulitti, 2-0, threw six innings for the win, striking out five. Josh Dew pitched the top of the ninth for his 24th save of the season, striking out three.

Curtis Camilli, 0-2, took the loss for Grand Prairie, lasting four innings. The AirHogs used six pitchers to five for Wichita.

Wichita is 61-30, setting a new team record for wins in a season. Grand Prairie falls to 47-44.

The two teams meet again at 7:05 p.m. today and finish the series at 3:16 p.m. Sunday.